iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Google Threat Intelligence Group reported that cybercriminals and suspected Russia- and China-nexus groups exploited Windows WinRAR vulnerability CVE-2025-8088, with criminal malware distribution still observed in December 2025 and January 2026. RARLAB released WinRAR 7.13 to fix the flaw on July 30, 2025. The latest exploitation activity established here is from January 2026; it does not confirm whether attacks continued after that month.
What does CVE-2025-8088 do?
CVE-2025-8088 is a path traversal vulnerability involving Alternate Data Streams (ADS) in Windows versions of WinRAR and related Windows components. A specially crafted RAR archive opened in a vulnerable version can cause files to be written outside the extraction folder the user selected.
Google Threat Intelligence Group described attackers concealing content in ADS entries associated with decoy files, then using traversal paths to place payloads in sensitive locations, often the user’s Windows Startup folder. A shortcut, script, or other dropped file there may run at a later login. Google’s illustrative archive entry resembled innocuous.pdf:malicious.lnk; it is an example of the technique, not a universal indicator of compromise.
Receiving an archive by itself is not the same as triggering the described chain: the archive must be opened in a vulnerable Windows version of the software. Treat unexpected archives and files in Startup as suspicious, but do not assume every RAR file is malicious.
#1 Best Overall
- The BarTender Enterprise Edition is ideally suited for businesses that operate in regulated industries or span multiple locations and need to control design and printing throughout the organization.
- BarTender 2022 is the new, future-facing version of BarTender's comprehensive software for labeling. BarTender 2021 includes enhancements that improve the entire labeling lifecycle.
- With hundreds of thousands of users in more than 150 countries, BarTender barcode software is the world's leading design and print software for labels, barcodes, cards, and RFID tags.
- A license key will be generated and electronically delivered by email within 2-3 business days. This product will ONLY be electronically delivered to locations within the United States or Canada.
- What's Included? 1 Base Application License, 10 Printer Licenses, and 1 Year of Standard Maintenance and Support.
Who has exploited it, and what activity was reported?
In a report dated January 27, 2026, Google Threat Intelligence Group described both suspected state-linked operations and financially motivated campaigns. Its actor labels are analytic assessments, not independently proven identities. The reported targets, payloads, and techniques varied:
Suspected Russia-nexus activity
Google reported campaigns against Ukrainian military and government entities involving suspected Russia-nexus groups. It named UNC4895, also publicly reported as RomCom; APT44, also called FROZENBARENTS; TEMP.Armageddon, also called CARPATHIAN; and Turla, also called SUMMIT, across separate observations. Reported payloads and methods included NESTPACKER/Snipbot, malicious LNK files, HTA files, and STOCKSTAY.
Rank #2
- The BarTender Enterprise Edition is ideally suited for businesses that operate in regulated industries or span multiple locations and need to control design and printing throughout the organization.
- BarTender 2022 is the new, future-facing version of BarTender's comprehensive software for labeling. BarTender 2021 includes enhancements that improve the entire labeling lifecycle.
- With hundreds of thousands of users in more than 150 countries, BarTender barcode software is the world's leading design and print software for labels, barcodes, cards, and RFID tags.
- A license key will be generated and electronically delivered by email within 2-3 business days. This product will ONLY be electronically delivered to locations within the United States or Canada.
- What's Included? 1 Base Application License, 5 Printer Licenses, and 1 Year of Standard Maintenance and Support.
Suspected China-nexus activity
Google described a China-nexus actor delivering POISONIVY through a BAT file dropped in the Windows Startup folder.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Financially motivated campaigns
Google also reported activity against Indonesian entities, hospitality and travel targets in Latin America, and Brazilian users. The reported malware included commodity remote-access trojans, information stealers, and a malicious Chrome extension used to inject phishing content into Brazilian banking pages. Google said criminal malware distribution exploiting the vulnerability continued in December 2025 and January 2026.
Rank #3
- Durable stainless steel metal license plate frame built for long term outdoor vehicle use
- Standard US size design fits most cars, trucks, and SUVs easily
- Rust resistant finish helps maintain clean appearance over time
- Easy installation using existing vehicle mounting points
- Ideal for custom personalization, gifts, or everyday vehicle styling
Which WinRAR versions and platforms are affected?
RARLAB’s WinRAR 7.13 release notice, dated July 30, 2025, identifies the vulnerability as a critical directory traversal issue affecting Windows WinRAR, RAR and UnRAR, UnRAR.dll, and portable UnRAR. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says versions before WinRAR 7.13 were affected.
RARLAB states that Linux/Unix builds and RAR for Android are not affected. This platform distinction comes from the vendor’s release notice; the issue described here concerns the Windows versions and components it lists.
Rank #4
- Full version, permanent License of Avid Pro Tools. Includes 1-Year of software updates and upgrades.
- Compose, record, edit, and mix high-quality music or sound for picture-on a Mac or PC-using Avid Pro Tools, the industry-standard audio production platform.
- Avid Pro Tools comes packed with over 60 amazing virtual instruments, effects, and sound processing plug-ins, so you can sound your best. Get the sounds of natural sounding spaces and classic stompbox effects.
- Software can be activated and used with iLok Cloud. iLok Key not included and not required.
What is the fix, and what should users do?
Update affected Windows installations to WinRAR 7.13 or later. Version 7.13 is the release identified as containing the fix; obtain the current supported release from RARLAB rather than treating 7.13 as necessarily the newest available version.
For organizations, inventory Windows systems for vulnerable WinRAR components and investigate suspicious archive handling or unexpected files in user Startup folders. Google said its indicators of compromise are available through a VirusTotal collection for registered users; those indicators have not been independently validated here. Google urged users and organizations to keep software fully up to date and install security updates promptly.
How serious is the vulnerability?
NIST’s National Vulnerability Database records an ESET-contributed CVSS 4.0 score of 8.4, rated High. That score describes severity; it is not a measure of how many people were affected or how common exploitation was. CISA added CVE-2025-8088 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog on August 12, 2025, citing evidence of active exploitation. That catalog date is not an attack count.
The available reporting establishes active exploitation and named campaign observations, but not a verified victim count, infection rate, or aggregate campaign total. Google’s January 27, 2026 report is the latest dated exploitation observation established here.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches
